Review: HONBUL: FLAME OF THE SOUL sparks a slow-burning romance

Manta is known for its romantasy titles and has gradually expanded into other genres like horror. However, it’s rare to see a mix of BL and supernatural/horror genres. Manta’s adaptation of the popular Korean BL webnovel Honbul: Flame of the Soul, written by toldju, breaks this mold.

The first five chapters of Honbul: Flame of the Soul effectively introduce the characters and lore while maintaining enough suspense to hook readers. The prologue delves into Jaegyum Kim’s past, revealing that he has lived for an astonishing 107 years. Although the reason for his long life remains unclear, Jaegyum’s jaded outlook on life suggests a heavy burden.

Chapters 1 and 2 shift focus to Taehee Yoon, a senior exorcist at the Exorcism Agency. Taehee, who rose to prominence as a top exorcist at only 19 years old, appears uninterested in his job. Instead, he searches for a “successor” who meets his oddly specific criteria: “pretty, cute, and has eyes only for me.” In reality, Taehee is looking for his own exorcist or gwijae—someone who can see ghosts.

While gwijae have historically been feared, Jaegyum’s mentor once told him that they are precious individuals, contrary to societal beliefs.

Jaegyum lives with two companions and strikes a deal with Jungju, a foxblood. If Jaegyum attends school for a month and makes a friend, Jungju will grant him a wish. Though reluctant, Jaegyum agrees, reasoning that he only needs to endure for a month before he can leave for good.

At school, Jaegyum encounters Taehee, who seems to be posing as a teacher. Their brief meeting brims with tension. Jaegyum feels an inexplicable connection to Taehee, while Taehee recognizes Jaegyum as a gwijae.

The art is exquisite. While the characters feature clean, polished lines, the ghosts are drawn with brush-like strokes that evoke a haunting, otherworldly quality. This stylistic contrast amplifies the ghosts’ terrifying presence.

The story flows well overall, though the number of characters introduced in the early chapters feels overwhelming. Additionally, the child abduction case comes across as random unless it ties into the larger narrative later. However, the seamless blend of supernatural elements and Jaegyum’s Joseon-era past into the modern setting prevents the transitions from feeling jarring.

Despite its serious tone, Honbul sprinkles humor throughout the chapters. Taehee’s introduction offers a prime example: the Exorcism Agency struggles with a finicky case involving the prime minister’s abducted child, only to discover that Taehee orchestrated the whole situation. His motive? Manipulating his boss into granting him a two-month vacation to find a gwijae.

Similarly, Jaegyum’s interactions with his classmates hint at his reclusive past. Despite his century-long life, Jaegyum likely spent most of it in isolation, avoiding judgment for his ability to see ghosts. His awkward self-introduction in class highlights his discomfort, which feels understandable given the tragic events hinted at in the prologue.

One minor disappointment is the limited showcase of Taehee’s exorcism powers. The brief demonstration seemed more for flair than anything else. I’m eager to learn more about exorcist operations in this world, the significance of Taehee’s half-mask, and whether we’ll see him in action.

Based on their tense first meeting, any lovey-dovey moments between Jaegyum and Taehee seem far off. However, this slow burn will make their eventual love connection even sweeter.

Honbul: Flame of the Soul debuts on Manta on January 17. Special thanks to Manta for the review copy!